We all look forward to summer- but for some it can be a challenging time. Hay fever season usually rolls around in late summer and can be difficult for people across the UK. Open windows to let in a warm summer breeze can open your home up to unwelcome visitors much smaller and harder to control than the occasional bee- don’t let these allergens will make themselves at home.

 

Why do carpets cause hay fever?

Pollen has a way of finding its way into every corner of your home. Carried in on shoes and clothes, as well as in the air, gravity deposits it in the fibres of your carpet, where it can become embedded and continue to cause problems. This problem isn’t just confined to pollen: bacteria, dust and mites can thrive in the protection of your carpet. They’re then stirred up by foot traffic or light cleaning, where they can rise into the atmosphere again. Fabric furniture, bedding and curtains also become great areas for these annoying microbes to fester. Fortunately there are steps serious hay fever sufferers can take to fight the allergens that build up in carpeting.

If you’re really susceptible to the effects of hay fever, don’t let your carpeting help the allergens! Use our sensible carpeting tips to give your allergies the boot.

 

Where should I focus?

Identify the areas of your house that are most exposed to pollen. Typically rooms that have a high level of outdoor foot traffic will have the highest levels of pollen. Also be aware of rooms that might be highly exposed to gardens in summer- for instance with French or sliding doors immediately adjacent to your garden.

The bedroom is another area that, as a rule, should be carpeted in a way which fights allergens. The amount of time you spend sleeping, and the importance of that time being peaceful & uninterrupted rest, means you should consider doing everything you can to protect yourself from pollen there.

You should also bear in mind that thick or heavy carpets can be a very favourable environment for pollen, dust mites and bacteria. Even regular vacuuming rarely penetrates to the base layers of these carpets and over time this can mean a heavy build-up of allergens in these types of flooring.

In areas where you judge that you’re particularly at risk from allergen build-up, consider reducing or replacing your carpeting. Rugs covering a smooth flooring surface such as karndean or vinyl can be an excellent solution due to being easily removed during hay fever season, rolled up and stored until autumn.

 

What carpet is best for allergy sufferers?

There are many reasons you might not wish to go without carpets entirely. They’re warm in winter, comfortable underfoot and provide great sound insulation. They can reduce energy bills and look great.  Being susceptible to hay fever for a couple of months per year might not be sufficient reason to dispose of them entirely. Fortunately there are choices you can make when selecting your carpet.

 

So what carpet is best- and what should I do next?

1. Choose a shallow carpet

As mentioned above, the deeper the pile, the more space you’re providing to the pesky pollen molecules that trigger your immune system. Deep, fluffy carpets also provide recesses in which bacteria, mould and germs can thrive- in these warm, protected spaces, they can breed and spread almost effortlessly.  This doesn’t mean you can sit back and relax, though- even without a deep pile in which to shelter, the pollen, germs and microbes are still on your carpet or flooring, and in fact will be swirling around more, being easier to disturb. Even a shallow carpet will therefore need cleaning before you’ll notice a change.

2. Use non-organic fibres

Woollen carpets have lots of advantages- lush and authentic, they look fantastic- but unfortunately they provide a great platform on which microbes can develop. Using synthetic fibres like nylon dries out pollen molecules and is inhospitable to microorganisms. This makes it a great surface for areas particularly susceptible to allergens and dust particles. The great thing is that nylon is also widespread, affordable and available in a huge range of stylish designs.

3. Clean your home regularly

Besides having a beautiful & attractive home, this rule also means you’ll be cracking down on build-ups of microbes that can spread sickness or trigger allergies. While most people hoover and dust, consider also washing fabrics, such as curtains, pillow cases, and carpets, and bedding more frequently during allergy season.

4. Deep clean your carpet

Further to the advice above, giving your carpet a thorough, deep shampoo & wash with proper soap at least semi-regularly means scrubbing out the finest pollen granules, reducing the effects of your allergies and giving you a clean, microbe-free floor.

 

 

If you found this article helpful, you’ll find a lot more useful carpet information at our Sheffield showroom- where our carpet experts help people find their perfect carpet every day. Our team are passionate about all things flooring- and what they don’t know about carpets isn’t worth knowing. Besides having all the know-how and experience to help you pick your dream flooring, we have Sheffield’s widest range of flooring, from cheap carpets to luxury hardwood and everything in between. Why not come and find out why we’re South Yorkshire’s most trusted flooring supplier?

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Sheffield’s leading supplier of cheap carpets has a new addition to their catalogue- a huge range of beds & mattresses! We’re proud to showcase such a comprehensive selection of quality beds, including specialist models, along with a wide range of bedroom furniture. Our team of experts are here to help you select the perfect bed for you, from our selection of all the top brands including ealy, Taylor’s Beds, My Sleep, Julian Bowen, Braemar and Siesta Beds. We offer tremendous value on our selection of beds, just as we do with our carpets, and we invite you to come and see the superb range of products for yourself at our Sheffield showroom!

The post Introducing beds from Pyramid Carpets! appeared first on Pyramid Carpets – News.

 

Buying a carpet for let accommodation?

If you’re a landlord, you know all too well the need to balance the considerations that come with letting a house. The attractiveness of the property, and the quality of life of your tenants, is a priority, but outfitting your property with the richest luxury décor available isn’t an option either- there’s both the initial outlay and the long-term costs. You must balance these considerations carefully to provide tenants with a pleasant, desirable home that nonetheless remains cost effective. Nowhere is this truer than when choosing a carpet. Every part of your rented property (including some bits you might not expect!) can be subject to dramatic wear and tear and can need replacing after even a short period, placing added emphasis on the considerations above when choosing your carpet. Whether or not it’s true that tenants in rented property take less care than homeowners when it comes to risking or repairing property damage, you need to choose your carpeting based on common (and financial) sense.

Picking an attractive carpet that presents your house in the best light & is also durable, easy to clean and affordable might seem like no easy task. With Pyramid Carpets, though, there’s a huge range of great value carpets available- here are our suggestions for rented accommodation.

 

1. Go neutral and dark- but don’t forget your tenants

A bright carpet will show stains more easily, decreasing its life even with regular cleaning. Even a more durable lino or laminate might begin to show signs of wear & tear faster if it’s lighter. Choosing a darker design will hide stains and damage, while also helpfully making way for a neutral, yet modern, décor that stands out to tenants and creates possibilities for their own personalised interiors. After all, who doesn’t want to put their stamp on the space they live in? Maintaining a neutral décor presents each room as a blank canvas your tenants can customise as they wish. It’s also important to consider the feelings of your tenants- as we’ve established a neutral-dark carpet or flooring can save money on repairs, yet this can risk appearing unattractive to many renters- so should be redeemed in its quality and appearance in the eyes of potential tenancy.

 

2. Invest in underlay- and stock up

 

Underlay is essential for durability, and prolongs the life of your flooring. It also limits noise transfer between rooms and floors, and lowers energy bills. Investing in top quality, heavy-duty underlay is vital, with long-lasting flooring continuing to work for decades of use after the initial installation. Crumb rubber or other thinner materials may not work as well- you need to really pursue quality underlay that will protect all the flooring that goes on top of it over the years- buy it right, buy it once. Remember that for project like this- where it might (hopefully!) be decades before you need to replace your work- you should stock up on the exact measurement of underlay you need, in case it isn’t available when you next need it.

 

3. Avoid pile

A shallower carpet might not absorb sound as well as a nice, thick pile, however it doesn’t absorb other things either. Some landlords rate stain resistance above durability, and keeping a flooring surface easy to clean is essential. A thicker pile traps dirt and can be a real chore to clean- so opt for a suitable, thinner carpet, especially in areas liable to attract a lot of dirt.

 

4. To carpet or not to carpet?

Many landlords favour the non-carpeting option as it’s ostensibly more durable than carpet. Laminate or karndean won’t scuff, stain, crease or wear out nearly as easily as a carpet- yet there are other considerations here. Sound travels far better through the harder surfaces, meaning tenants in flats or HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) might not thank you for installing it on the floor above! Carpet or flooring than can be easily lifted is always an advantage- although it’s preferable not to need to do this: choosing a durable laminate or even lino that’s stylish & professionally fitted can be a perfect solution for kitchens or bathrooms, as well as living rooms as an alternative carpeting. Some landlords feel lino or laminate can look scruffy and worn quickly, yet tenants often prefer an attractive laminate or karndean floor (again, darker shades mask stains) which lets them choose their own rugs & accents.

 

Come and visit our Sheffield showroom for more information on the best choices of carpet from our team of carpet experts! We stock a huge range of great value carpets suitable for all uses, as well as rugs and underlay to provide the complete flooring package.

 

The post What’s the best flooring for rented accommodation? appeared first on Pyramid Carpets – News.

At AAI Flooring we often get asked to pull a few samples for our guests. These samples are usually for a certain color the family wants to use for their home design. We have a lot of fun pulling looks for our clients and thought we would share some of our favorite green carpets!

Green is a symbol of nature. This calming and refreshing color is the easiest for the eye. It improves vision. In fact the research shows that it can improve reading ability and comprehension. It is also a symbol of health. Here is a look at the green carpets from our favorite brands!

Come enjoy the warmth and allure of Antibes, Couristan’s seafaring-inspired quality residential carpet. This charming woven Wilton loop pile carpet is a pure delight for bare feet.

Creating an interlocking square pattern, Antibes gives practically any room in the house a relaxing, yet fashionable, feeling.

Different hues of green have different meanings. For instance, a bluish green is colder, fastidious, and sensitive, while a yellowish green is stimulating, lighter, and less serious. A light bluish green is refreshing and a neutral green is calming.

Green is a wonderful color to decorate a home with. A fresh green carpet can uplift any design. With spring around the corner and flowers blooming, why not bring the outdoors in? If you have any design needs for your home, check in with us at AAI Flooring in Orange, CT.

For a free estimate on your green carpet needs: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/free-estimate/

 

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At AAI Flooring we use top quality brands to assist in renovating homes. We take flooring serious and not only want to make sure your dream design comes true, we also want to make sure you have the best product for your home. One of our favorite brands is Mirage Flooring.

Mirage quality

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If you are beginning to plan outdoor renovations and are interested in updating your walk ways, consider using traditional indoor tiling outside. This is a great way to give your home a more personal touch. Tiling the outdoors can improve your garden or turn your outdoor patio into a stylish new hangout spot. It may be a little too cold to consider spending time out doors, but with the right tile design, you might feel the urge to begin your renovations sooner rather then later.

Pebbles and tiles in this magical outdoor bathroom,

Outdoor areas have become an extension of our internal living areas, extending a deck, patio or tiling around a pool makes perfect sense. Most materials used outside need continuous maintenance and most often deteriorate and fade with sun exposure. This is why the perfect covering for your outdoor living spaces are outdoor tiles.

Geometric Floor Tile Stencils from Royal Design Studio – Painted Concrete Tiles – Mediterranean Jungalow Patio Porch Makeover by Old Brand New.

Color scheme can be simple or fun it all depends on your taste. If you like matching the pavement tiles with your house paint then go for a matching scheme. You can also go for neutral colors like whites, browns, greys and blacks if going for a subdued look. But if you want a contrasting color then the options are unlimited as natural stones come in a variety of beautiful colors.

Gorgeous outdoor dining area by Zevy Joy.

This is an extremely important question as it helps in selecting the right material for your project. If the project is a space that experiences heavy foot traffic and is prone to heavy level of abuse then it is better to go with tiles that are heavy duty. Similarly some stone tiles are better off on the walls rather than on the floor. Knowing the location where you want the tiles to be placed helps you in deciding the perfect material for your project.

Tiles of Ezra Ceent encaustic tile black and white herringbone earthy floor tiles for external courtyard with planter.

Tile Installation can either be done by a professional contractor or as a DIY project. However, in some rare circumstances professional help is mandatory especially when it comes to setting up tiles in the outdoor areas. But most of the time, a pro isn’t needed and the entire installation process can be done with the basic knowledge and understanding of creating the foundation level.

For a free estimate about how you can improve your home, contact AAI Flooring for a free estimate today: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/free-estimate/

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Copper tile is often used as trim in conjunction with other tiles, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Copper gives any room a “wow” factor when it covers a large area, and it has not been over-used in the big picture of interior design.

Copper is an ancient element, unearthed by humans about 4700 years ago. People have loved copper as a decorative and practical metal from that time forward. It presents a timeless, stylish look in tile form in every room of the house. Antique copper is difficult to top for elegance and sophistication, but its warmth is retained in the varied colors of each tile. Dark grays, blues, blacks and browns meld into the reddish copper, providing interest and depth.

Warm metallics have been huge in 2014, with copper hues especially taking the lead. he word “boring” does not apply to antique copper, but the word “rich” does. The metallic texture and patina of antique copper make any room unique and welcoming whatever the style of furniture. The “richness” of the copper itself adds something to a room full of antiques or to a contemporary design.

Craftsmanship and memories of manual skills, Vienna, a sophisticated covering inspired by a traditional weaving technique. Copper options come in all shapes and sizes from the standard square or rectangular (subway tile) to round penny tile. For those who like smaller sized options mosaic tiles that have many tiny sized tiles attached to a mesh backing are a natural choice. Since copper can work well with quite a few other materials some mosaics will include copper, glass, and certain types of stone together.

Minimal maintenance is required to clean copper tile, a real asset in damp areas. Copper is moisture-resistant and covers imperfections in the wall when necessary. Copper does not crack like ceramic or stone tile and wears well. Good quality copper is not inexpensive, but it stands up to time and has a broad appeal. It will cost $18-$50 per square foot and continue to impress guests and homeowners.

For a free estimate on your dream tile designs and home renovation contact us today: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/free-estimate/

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2017 has ended leaving us with a lot to reflect on. At AAI Flooring, we are dedicated to renovating your home with the best flooring available. We enjoyed writing blogs about our favorite flooring and would like to share with you our favorites. Here is the best/favorites of 2017.

Parquet Hardwood flooring has geometric designs or unique patterns. The word Parquet comes from the french language and means  “a small compartment.” Read more: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/parquethardwood/

We’re currently obsessed with Karastan’s area rugs! Give your Connecticut home a seasonal update with area rugs for autumn. Area rugs make for a wonderful accent for your hardwood floors. Find inspiration below for your seasonal makeover.

Castlemoor’s rustic flooring features a matte finish. Give your home a touch of farmhouse charm with this laminate flooring. The variations of tone and texture will give your interior added intrigue. Read more: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/beaulieus-laminate-flooring/

Give your design some shine with glass tile! Glass tile is sleek and versatile; sheets of glass tile can easily be cut into smaller pieces for a customized design. One of the main benefits of tile is that it’s easy to clean! We love that glass tile is non-absorbent and doesn’t emit harmful VOCs. Read More: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/beautiful-glass-tile-designs/

The Marmara collection features both tile in marble and limestone, which is ideal for your kitchen or bathroom renovation. When shopping for the perfect tile for your home, ask your AAI Flooring consultant what they think would look best in your interior. If you are renovating your kitchen or bathroom, consider bringing swatches with you to compare and contrast against tile samples. Read more: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/marmara-collection/

Transform your business, venue or building with Radici’s elegant area rugs for commercial spaces. Radici’s area rugs combine quality carpeting and unique designs. Make a statement with a large area rug in a space that needs a pop of style, or add a small area rug to welcome your guests at the entrance. Read more: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/area-rugs-for-commercial-spaces/

ive your home a dose of Autumn splendor with Spiced Revival inspiration from Couristan.  Boasting rich hues, Couristan’s Spiced Revival trend adds instant warmth.  Shop Couristan in-store at A. A. I. Flooring to find the perfect tones for your Connecticut home. Read more: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/spiced-revival/

AAI Flooring, located in Orange, Connecticut has all of your flooring needs. AAI Flooring’s knowledgeable staff is trained to assist you in finding the ideal flooring for your interior design. Visit our location to assemble your palette and browse our various flooring lines, including VOGUEBAY, Marble Systems, Mohawk Industries, Daltile, Karastan, Karndean Design Flooring, and more!

Get a free estimate to day on your favorite design from 2017: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/free-estimate/

Also take a look at AAI Flooring’s monthly promotions to see if your favorite from 2017 is on sale: https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/promotions/

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Would you like to see stars? Let AAI Flooring help you imagine a home inspired by our night’s sky. A star is type of astronomical object consisting of a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by its own gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun.

Adding a small patch of tile to your floors can be an exciting way to renovate your home. It is a newer design trend in home improvements. Want to refresh your wooden floor bathroom? Try adding some tiled stars.

Mosaics are not just a style of the past, it can be used to add a fresh design to your home. Using smaller tiles to create designs on your floor can feel like a puzzle. Incorporating different textures of tiling to your star pattern might also inspire your design to take a turn from bleak to retro!

If you’ve always wanted to bath in the stars, adding a start design to your bathroom will create a more luxurious setting. Above is EliteTile Royalty 17.63″ x 17.63″ Ceramic Field Tile in Beige/Gray.

When it comes to designing a home, some details can bring the home good luck. Stars are often considered good luck to home owners. There is some stories that indicate that placing a star in your home references the north star and always being able to “find your way home.”

If you would like to know more about how you can make stars shine in your home, contact https://aaiflooringspecialist.com/free-estimate/

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Need a flooring update for 2018? Here is one of our favorite trends spring up for next year! Corked flooring is eco-friendly, lights, and has a similar appearance to wood. As an affordable flooring option, cork floors are becoming one of next year’s most popular styles for home design.

Kitchen

Cork flooring handles foot traffic really well. Making it a great choice for a busy kitchen! Cork flooring is a bit more shock absorbent then other flooring. Glasses and dishes are less likely to shatter or break when falling on cork floors.

Bathroom

Cork materials are a great choice for a bathroom. Unlike tile, cork can hold in warmth. This makes getting out of the bathtub a little easier.

Design

With many designs to choose from, cork flooring can replace all of the flooring in your home.

Ease

Cork Floors are not waterproof, however they are pretty water resistant. Usually seen in a bathroom. Often applied is a polyurethane topcoat that will protect the floors from minor spills.

Beauty

A cork floor is interesting to look at. Yes, it is similar to wood, however has beautiful ascents almost like marble. No pattern is the same.

Mix Matching Designs

Not only are corked floors a great way to update your home, but also including other design styles will make your floors worth mentioning. Take a look at this flooring collaboration of cork floors and parquet.

Up Close

As mentioned before, the look of the cork floors is unique with remnants of other materials used for flooring. If you are looking to update your flooring for 2018, take a look at our cork flooring. It will leave your home refreshed.

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